Burke, Ronald Lee
Ronald Lee Burke, 83, of Radford, VA passed away Friday, May 26, 2023, at Carilion New River Valley Medical Center. He was born in Jenkins, Kentucky on December 3, 1939, to the late Leffey and Flora (Mullins) Burke.
Ronald is survived by his wife of 60 years, Bernice (Bolling) Burke, and two children, Michael (Christina) Burke of Gastonia, North Carolina and Rhonda (Lee) Linville of Whitmore Lake, Michigan. He was the proud grandfather of Sarah Girard, Alex Linville, Brandon Linville, and Josh Burke. He leaves behind one brother, Kenneth (Lois) Burke, one brother-in-law, JC Akers, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Ronald was preceded in death by 2 brothers and 4 sisters, Arville Burke, Barbara Powers, Wanda Glisson, LaVon Conley, Granville Burke, and Christine Akers.
Ronald left Jenkins after high school graduation and worked at several jobs in Virginia and Michigan before settling in at Ford Motor Company’s Livonia Transmission Plant for 37.5 years plus countless overtime. He also roofed and sided houses in his spare time. His hobbies included watching football and NASCAR racing, playing checkers and horseshoes, spending time with his grandchildren, and talking with old friends about yesteryears. He loved antique cars and was great at recalling unique model year features.
He looked forward to family reunions and often walked away as the horseshoe champion. Upon retirement, Ronald moved to Virginia to manage his rental property, affectionately labeled “Paradise” by his wife because he liked working there more than relaxing at home. He loved to extend hospitality to friends and family and depended on Bernice to feed everyone.
It was Bernice’s cooking and care that kept Ronald going for 18 years after a kidney cancer diagnosis in 2000. He was on hemodialysis for the last 4.5 years and succumbed to complications from renal and liver failure. He had accepted Christ as his Savior and is now in the presence of his Lord.
The family wishes to thank DaVita Radford Dialysis Clinic, Carilion Clinic Interventional Radiology NRV team, special friend Peggy Phillips, and nephew and niece, Wayne and Tanya Akers for their care and help during the last several years.
Visitation will be Thursday 5-7 p.m. and Friday 10-11 a.m. at McCoy Funeral Home in Blacksburg, VA. The funeral will be Friday, June 2, 2023, at 11 a.m. at McCoy Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Sunset Cemetery in Christiansburg, VA. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Ronald’s memory to Samaritan’s Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607, or https://www.samaritanspurse.org/memorial-page/ronald-burke-radford-va/